The rebels and their allies have demanded the formation of a consensus transitional government before forging ahead with other issues that require them to surrender arms and withdraw from territories they occupied in 2014.

The rebels have also demanded the withdrawal of a small U.S. force operating in the south of the country against Al-Qaeda militants. Cheikh Ahmed said Thursday the foes had begun discussing major political and security issues in face-to-face negotiations aimed at bringing an end to 13 months of devastating war.

The working groups exchanged views on resolving political and security issues and the release of prisoners and detainees, in accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 2216. This orders the rebels to withdraw from territory they have taken since 2014 and to surrender heavy weaponry they had seized.

There has been mounting international pressure to end the Yemen conflict that the United Nations estimates has killed more than 6,400 people and displaced 2.8 million since March last year